As a reviewer of independent, unsigned bands, I get to experience a lot of great talent firsthand before others have the pleasure, and every now and then, I get to check out a release that sounds so refined that I can hardly believe it’s been done without a label. Skylime, a pop/hardcore band from Bradford Pennsylvania, is the newest surprise that’s shown up in my inbox, having released an exceedingly professional album entitled “The Both of Us” all on their own, and the result is amazing. Let’s dive in, shall we?

The production on this album is ace. Volume-wise, you’re not going to hear another unsigned band that sounds this loud anywhere in the world. If you pop “The Both of Us” into your stereo right alongside any huge band like A Day To Remember, you would never notice the difference in levels. The songwriting is as tight as any big name act, too. Album opener “It’s Not You It’s Me” showcases some fantastic structural knowledge, switching back and forth from an aggressive Comeback Kid-esque verse to a quirky, bouncy chorus with ease. The third chorus actually turns into a full-on breakdown—a great energetic lift at the track’s conclusion that closes out the piece strong.

While professionalism is certainly one of the greatest strengths on “The Both of Us”, the most infectious aspect of the record is probably the ever so palpable sense of fun characterizing all of the songs. A brief scan of the track listing provides plenty of lighthearted laughs. From “Raptor Jesus” to “Geppetto Rape Boogie”, you can tell Skylime has accumulated a lot of inside jokes and funny stories over the years. The latter cut recalls some of the glory days of Blink-182 pop punk and combines it with the idiosyncratic nature of modern genre conventions. “A Redneck’s Rebuttal” even brings some ska into the record, harkening back to the bold sound of The Suicide Machines in the verses before launching into a shattering assault of southern riffs.

Skylime thrives on this compositional diversity. Offering everything from punk, hardcore, alternative to even dance music, “The Both of Us” never once feels dull throughout each of its eight tracks. While, of course, I can appreciate the confident, snotty vocal delivery in the energetic “Yeah…I’ve Done That”, I’ve always been a sucker for melodic ambiance, which Skylime so conveniently distributes on the mid-album star, “Verb the Noun”. Where the first three tracks of “The Both of Us” demonstrate Skylime’s proficiency in hardcore, pop punk, and dance styles, “Verb the Noun” combines all of that and adds something unique, forging a new identity that only Skylime holds in this very crowded scene.

“The Both of Us” will stand as a truly professional release from an unsigned band, which I think is very likely to attract some attention in the near future. Skylime's eagerness to include as many genres as possible is only going to help them along the way as well, since there truly is something for everyone on this album. Pennsylvania has been cranking out some great artists recently, and Skylime is certainly no exception—an approachable pop punk/hardcore/dance conglomeration accepting of all genres and styles. A music video is on the way, but in the meantime, you would be wise to head on over to Spotify and see for yourself what all the fuss is about or, better yet, purchase the album from the band's Storenvy site, iTunes, Amazon, or over 60 other digital music sites! I can tell you right now, it will be money well spent!